Illness will sideline Mick Cronin for Cincinnati-UConn game at XL Center

One of the highlights of the season for local college basketball fans is a visit by the Cincinnati Bearcats and their animated coach, Mick Cronin. But when UConn hosts Cincinnati next Saturday at the XL Center, Cronin won't be roaming the sideline. The veteran coach will miss the remainder of the season as he deals with a health issue that requires rest. Cronin, 43, has missed the past three games after he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, but the school announced Friday that he has arterial dissection — a non life-threatening vascular condition. Treatment includes keeping his blood pressure under control. If you've studied his sideline demeanor, you know Cronin can't possibly be on the bench during a game. At least not this season. Cronin will be in an advisory role as associate head coach Larry Davis runs the team in games and practices the rest of the season. The prognosis is considered good and Cronin will be evaluated in three months. "If I follow orders, there's a high chance that I'll be onward and upward, [and] won't ever have to deal with it again the rest of my life," Cronin told reporters Friday.

Rob Gronkowski and J.J. Watt were the only unanimous choices for the Associated Press NFL All-Pro team, earning spots on all 50 ballots of media members from across the country. Aaron Rodgers (44 votes) is the quarterback, ahead of Tony Romo (3), Tom Brady (2), and Andrew Luck (1). Former Patriot Adam Vinatieri (25) was named first-team kicker, edging current Patriot Stephen Gostkowski (21). Darrelle Revis (42) was the top vote-getter among cornerbacks, ahead of Richard Sherman (41). And at fullback, UConn's Anthony Sherman earned second-team honors after another solid season with the Chiefs. … Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, the former head coach of the Broncos, reportedly interviewed for the Falcons' job Friday and will talk to the 49ers Saturday. With the Patriots off this week, McDaniels is free and he's squeezing in some interviews, according to media reports. Meanwhile, Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports reported Hartford native and 49ers tight ends coach Eric Mangini will interview for the Oakland Raiders' coaching job. Oakland's interim coach is New Haven native Tony Sparano, so the Raiders seem to be focused on the best available Connecticut native. Mangini, former coach of the Jets and Browns, is still only 43 and deserves another shot.

The NFL coaching carousel could grind to a halt if media reports in Philadelphia concerning Chip Kelly prove to be true. As the story goes, a front office shakeup has left Kelly disenchanted and he's trying to leave the Eagles. If he is set free, Kelly moves to the front of the line of coaching candidates. … It was a big day for the American Athletic Conference as Houston staged a comeback victory over ACC-foe Pittsburgh in the Armed Forces Bowl Friday in Fort Worth. Greg Ward threw three touchdown passes in the final 3:41, including two after successful onside kicks, and the Cougars earned a 35-34 win. Pittsburgh led 31-6 early in the fourth quarter, but Houston stormed back.